Thomas Thinking of Four Visits, Plus One

Brian Dohn

08/13/2011

Franklin High (Reisterstown, Md.) receiver Ian Thomas is still looking at more than a half-dozen schools, but he is thinking about official visits to four of them. One is Notre Dame, where he will be for the season opener against South Florida. But who else is in contention to land Thomas' services? Come inside and find out.

Franklin High (Reisterstown, Md.) Ian Thomas is heading to Notre Dame for an official visit for the Irish's Sept. 3 season opener against South Florida, and he is expecting a full-court press.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Thomas is a high target for the Irish, and he is reminded of it often.

"When I talk to them, I do get the sense they really want me," Thomas said. "They keep telling me over and over that they have to get me up there. They keep me informed on who's committed, and how many spots are left, and they want me to join them. So, I do get the sense they really want me."

Thomas' main contact with the Irish staff is with assistant coaches Kerry Cooks and Tony Alford.

"I'm getting a pretty good feeling from Notre Dame," he said. "They keep saying they want to get me up to the campus and show me some things that I can do in their offense. They want me to see the game, and see how the receivers are. They really want to get me to the campus."

Thomas plans on making the trip with his mom and Franklin High coach Anthony Burgos.

He said he knows the Irish may try to entice him to commit, but could that happen?

"It could," he said. "If it feels right, if the situation is right, if I get that gut feeling, ‘This is the place for me,' then it's a possibility."

However, Thomas said the possibility of the Irish filling up its receiver slots in its class won't change the timetable of making a decision.

"It doesn't impact me," he said. "I'm still going to do it on my own time."